Frequently Asked Questions

Silkcards manufactures premium business cards in 16pt to 48pt cardstock with specialty finishes including Silk laminate, Suede soft-touch, hot foil stamping, Spot UV, embossing, and die-cutting. Every card is made to order with a minimum run of 250 units. Below are answers to the most common questions about customization, file setup, production times, and shipping. Can't find what you're looking for? We're here to help!

1. What customization options are available for my cards?

Great question — and the short answer is: a lot! Every card we produce is made to order, so nothing is off the shelf.

  • Paper Stocks: Silk (smooth matte), Suede (soft-touch velvet), Onyx Suede (rich black stock), Cotton/Letterpress (textured, absorbent), Linen (woven texture), Cold Foil (metallic silver base), Uncoated, and real Wood (Beech or Cherry).
  • Plastic Cards: Available in 12mil (flexible) and 30mil (credit-card thickness) in White, Frosted, or Clear finishes.
  • Thickness: Our standard is 16pt. Want something with more weight? We offer 32pt (double thick) and 48pt (triple thick) — built by layering cards for a rigid, substantial feel.
  • Specialty Finishes: Foil Stamping, Spot UV (gloss), Raised UV (textured gloss), Dusting UV (glitter), Embossing/Debossing, Die-Cutting (custom shapes), and Colored or Foiled Edges.
  • Design Help: Don't have print-ready files? No worries! Our High Impact Custom Design (HICD) service pairs you with a designer who creates a unique card for a flat $99 fee.

To get started: Upload your artwork files and our team will review them, advise on the best execution, and confirm feasibility — typically within one business day. If you're unsure about anything, just send us what you have and we'll take a look!

2. What foil colors do you offer, and what do they look like?

We use hot foil stamping to apply metallic, reflective color to specific areas of your card — a logo, name, or accent line. The result is gorgeous, and honestly, photos don't do it justice!

  • Standard Foils: Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, Copper, Black, Blue, Green, Red, Pink, Purple, and Teal.
  • Pearlescent / Rainbow Foils: Available in Gold and Silver. These shift color depending on how the light hits them — a holographic effect that really moves.
  • Patterned Foils: Textured metallic finishes (Silver Pattern 1 & 2) that add dimension beyond a flat reflective surface.

Cold Foil vs. Hot Foil — What's the difference?

Cold Foil: A paper stock where the entire card has a metallic sheen under the ink. Best for full-card metallic backgrounds.
Hot Foil: An add-on finish applied to specific areas. Best for logos, text, and accent details.

Our recommendation: Order a free sample pack to see the true reflective quality in person — screens really cannot replicate how foil catches light!

3. When will my order ship?

Your estimated delivery date depends on card complexity and the shipping method you choose. Turnaround begins after you approve your digital proof — production does not start until you give us the green light.

Production Time (Printing)

Standard Cards (16pt Silk / Suede)6–8 business days
Complex Cards (Foil, Spot UV, 32pt+)10–12 business days
Specialty (Metal, Wood, Plastic)12–15+ business days

Shipping Time

Express Shipping2–3 business days (Ships directly from production)
Ground ShippingAdd 1–6 business days (Ships to LV facility first)

If you have a hard deadline, let us know! We can apply a Courtesy Rush to Express orders to prioritize your job in production.

4. How do I change or modify my order?

The process depends on where your order is in production — so timing matters here!

Current Orders

We can make changes only if the proof has not yet been approved. Once you approve your proof, the order is locked and sent to our plating queue immediately — so please double-check everything before approving!

Reorders with Changes

Need to reorder a past job with updates (new name, phone number, quantity)? Here's how:

  1. Log in and go to Order History.
  2. Click "Order Again" on the previous order.
  3. In the Order Notes section at checkout, list the specific changes needed (e.g., "Change name to John Doe," "Change quantity to 500").
  4. Upload new files if necessary.

Our team will create a new digital proof for your approval before printing begins. Rest assured, nothing goes to print until you've reviewed and approved the updated proof!

5. I received my order and something isn't right. What do I do?

We're sorry to hear that! We stand behind the quality of every card we produce, and if something arrived that doesn't match your approved proof, we absolutely want to make it right.

How to Report an Issue

  • Email us with your Order Number in the subject line:
    • Orders starting with "S" → support@silkcards.com
    • Orders starting with "K" → sales@silkcards.com
  • Include: A description of the defect, the number of cards affected, and clear photos showing the issue.
  • Physical samples: For color shifts or subtle texture issues that are hard to capture in photos, we may ask you to mail 5–10 sample cards to our Henderson, NV office for inspection.

Resolution

If the issue is a production error — spot UV misalignment, damaged edges, incorrect finish — we will reprint the affected cards at no charge.

Please note: We are not responsible for typos or layout errors present on the proof you approved. This is why we always recommend reviewing your proof very carefully before giving us the green light!

6. Can I get a shipping estimate before I order?

Yes! While the exact shipping cost is calculated automatically at checkout based on order weight and your delivery address, our support team can provide a rough estimate anytime via chat or email.

Just provide us with:

  • The quantity you're ordering
  • The card stock and thickness (e.g., 16pt Silk, 32pt Suede, Metal)
  • Your zip code

Shipping costs vary based on card stock weight (Metal and 48pt cards are heavier) and address type (residential addresses may incur additional UPS fees). Reach out via chat or email with your order details and we'll get you a personalized estimate!

7. How do I request a quote, and how long does it take?

For most products, you don't need a custom quote — you can find immediate pricing directly on our product pages by selecting your options (quantity, thickness, add-ons).

If a specific quantity or custom option is not listed, the website will prompt you to "Request Quotation."

How to Request a Custom Quote

  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Navigate to the specific product page (e.g., Die-Cut Cards).
  3. Select "Other" under quantity, or choose your custom options.
  4. Click the "Request Quotation" button and add any specific instructions in the notes.

Turnaround Time: Our quoting department typically finalizes custom quotes within 1–2 business days (24–48 hours). You'll receive an email notification once the quote is ready for your review and checkout!

8. Can I get my order sooner? Do you offer rush production?

We offer a Courtesy Rush service to help expedite orders with tight deadlines — and there's no additional rush fee!

How It Works

  • Requirement: You must select Express Shipping at checkout. We cannot apply a courtesy rush to Ground orders.
  • What it does: A courtesy rush flags your order to be prioritized at the top of our production queue. It tells our team to move as fast as possible without compromising quality.
  • Guarantees: A courtesy rush does not guarantee a specific delivery date. Production times are estimates, and while we strive to meet your deadline, manufacturing variables (drying time, quality control) can still affect timing.

Have a hard deadline? Let us know in your Order Notes or reach out to our team and we'll do everything we can to help!

9. How do I set up my files for Spot UV, Foil, or Embossing?

To apply special finishes (Spot UV, Foil, Embossing, Die-Cut), you'll need to provide a Mask File — a guide that tells our production team exactly where to apply each effect.

What Is a Mask File?

A mask file is a separate file (or separate layer in your artwork) that uses black and white only:

  • 100% Black (K) = Where the effect is applied
  • White = Where no effect is applied

Accepted File Formats

  • .AI, .PDF, .EPS: Preferred. Vector files give the crispest results, especially for foil.
  • .PSD, .TIFF: High-resolution (300 dpi) raster files.
  • .JPG, .PNG: Accepted at high resolution, but may produce softer edges.

Important: If you're ordering multiple finishes (e.g., Foil AND Spot UV), please provide a separate mask file for each option.

10. Can I get a physical sample of my design before printing the full order?

We completely understand wanting to see your card before committing! Unfortunately, we cannot print a single test card of your custom design due to our gang-run bulk printing process. Our minimum production run is typically 250 cards.

What We Offer Instead

  • Digital Proof: Every order receives a digital proof before production begins. This shows the exact placement of all artwork, text, and add-ons. Nothing goes to print until you review and approve this proof.
  • Material Samples: To see and feel the quality of our paper stocks, foils, and finishes in person, we recommend ordering a free sample pack from our website. It includes pre-printed samples of our various stocks and a foil color swatch guide.

Between the digital proof and the physical sample pack, you'll have a clear picture of exactly what your finished cards will look and feel like.

Still have questions?

Our team is here to help! Reach out at support@silkcards.com or start a live chat.

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